Written Replies Nos. 432 to 459
432. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the landlords to whom his Department or bodies under his aegis paid rent in each of the past three years; and the sums paid in each case. [25415/16]
View answerThe information requested is presented in the table, setting out the Lessor name and details of rents paid in the years 2013, 2014 and 2015. The leases include premises leased for start up schools in advance of full school recognition and by aegis bodies for the purpose of office accommodation or storage requirements. In addition there are two offices leased by the Department to ensure local accommodation for the psychological services.
|
Landlord |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Cairn Homes Properties Ltd (formerly Emerley Properties Ltd. |
158,333 |
175,000 |
175,000 |
|
An Post |
60,000 |
60,000 |
60,000 |
|
Bellou International Limited |
0 |
0 |
12,040 |
|
Birr Soccer Club |
0 |
0 |
5,000 |
|
Breda Bligh |
0 |
8,750 |
17,500 |
|
Bridestreet Partnership |
168,707 |
160,687 |
128,549 |
|
Brookfield Community Centre |
0 |
9,500 |
9,500 |
|
Carey Murphy & Partners |
0 |
0 |
190,138 |
|
Carrigtwohill GAA Club |
10,000 |
24,000 |
11,333 |
|
Castlethorn Construction |
0 |
0 |
13,010 |
|
Cavalli Investments |
3,200,000 |
2,133,333 |
0 |
|
Danny Grehan (in Receivership) |
178,752 |
89,376 |
0 |
|
Darkridge Limited |
120,844 |
129,844 |
138,844 |
|
Davy Target |
1,660,000** |
1,660,000** |
1,660,000** |
|
De La Salle Rugby Club |
11,500 |
27,500 |
31,000 |
|
Dom Breslin Ltd |
50,250 |
50,250 |
50,250 |
|
Donal Kelly |
0 |
0 |
33,333 |
|
Douglas AFC Club |
32,333 |
||
|
Dublin City University |
159,567 |
159,567 |
159,567 |
|
Durrow House |
505,000* |
505,000* |
505,000* |
|
Firhouse Community & Leisure Centre |
21,250 |
59,270 |
60,780 |
|
Gael Linn Teo |
346,000 |
346,000 |
346,000 |
|
Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Greystones Rugby Club |
0 |
0 |
14,583 |
|
HSE |
0 |
0 |
25,000 |
|
IPUT Plc (previously Kennedy Wilson) |
840,567 |
840,567 |
804,411 |
|
Irish Province Patrician Brothers |
0 |
10 |
10 |
|
John Feeney |
0 |
24,354 |
73,062 |
|
Kilkenny Education Centre |
33,000 |
33,000 |
33,000 |
|
Laurenview Developments |
0 |
0 |
11,993 |
|
Limerick and Clare ETB |
120,000 |
120,000 |
120,000 |
|
Mallow GAA Club |
0 |
10,000 |
30,000 |
|
Mr Austin Devlin |
0 |
7,875 |
5,675 |
|
Mr Martin Maybury |
40,000 |
40,000 |
40,000 |
|
National Transport Authority |
42,999 |
80,000 |
80,000 |
|
Point(Development) Two Ltd |
405,000 |
405,000 |
405,000 |
|
RDS |
0 |
194,750 |
233,700 |
|
Riverside Properties |
761,000 |
1,684,000 |
|
|
Sean Hennessy Electrical |
0 |
17,220 |
17,220 |
|
Shaw's Department Store |
0 |
0 |
93,615 |
|
Siemens |
139,500 |
139,500 |
93,000 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
14,391 |
43,173 |
43,173 |
|
Spelman |
67,250 |
67,250 |
67,250 |
|
Teagasc |
0 |
0 |
12,372 |
|
Tipperary Education & Training Board ( South Tipperary Vocational Educational Committee prior to 1st July 2013) |
9,116 |
9,116 |
9,116 |
|
Tymon Bawn Community Association |
6,000 |
18,400 |
14,000 |
|
Ulysses Properties |
0 |
0 |
50,667 |
433. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the School Transport Appeals Board sits only once a month to make decisions on appeals; and the steps he will take to reform the system in order that appeals can be dealt with as and when they are lodged. [25436/16]
View answerThe School Transport Appeals Board is independent of my Department.
The operating procedures for the School Transport Appeals Board provide that where, in the opinion of the Board, a meeting is required, it shall, as soon as may be, fix a date and place for the meeting, and give reasonable notice of same to the appellant.
The Programme for Government provides for a review of the criteria and guidelines of the School Transport Appeals Board.
434. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on separate religion-based entry for the primary teacher training course in Dublin City University (details supplied); if he will be renewing any exemptions to the Employment Equality Act 1998 or other equality legislation that currently apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25450/16]
View answerThe position is that Dublin City University (DCU) has two entry streams to its primary initial teacher education programmes. One is open to students from a Protestant background and one is open to all students. The provision of a route for students of a Protestant background continues the arrangements that have heretofore been in place for entry to the B Ed programme provided by the Church of Ireland College of Education (CICE).
In accordance with Department policy on the restructuring of initial teacher education, CICE and St Patrick's, Drumcondra, are scheduled to be incorporated into DCU on 1 October 2016. Two centres for denominational education are being created in DCU's Institute of Education, such that the University whilst maintaining its secular context, will facilitate and support the co-existence of different faith-based traditions.
CICE provides teachers for the Protestant primary school sector and the College has for many years restricted its annual B.Ed. intake (currently 32 students) to students from Protestant backgrounds. This is to ensure that there is available to schools under Protestant patronage a sufficient number of teachers who themselves come from a Protestant background and are trained in an institution with a Protestant ethos. The arrangement is provided for by order made by the Minister for Education and Skills, with the consent of the Minister for Justice and Equality, in accordance with Section 12 of the Employment Equality Act.
The current order applies to the academic years 2013/14 to 2017/18 inclusive. However, a new order will be required under Section 12, having regard to the incorporation of CICE into DCU. An application for this must be made to me and upon receipt, it would be my intention to make the order, with the consent of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality. The order will help ensure the continued availability of teachers with a background in the Protestant faith and thereby protect the constitutional right to free expression of religion.
435. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on separate religion-based entry for the degree in general nursing in the University of Dublin (details supplied); if he will be renewing any exemptions to the Employment Equality Act 1998 or other equality legislation that currently apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25451/16]
View answerUniversities and institutes of technology, under the Universities Act 1997 and the Institutes of Technology Acts, are autonomous bodies and, as such, have responsibility for their own academic affairs, including issues relating to the admission of students. Therefore it is a matter for the institutes themselves to set admissions requirements for individual programmes of education and training and to ensure that students meet those requirements before commencing their studies.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the arrangements in place comply with the relevant provisions of the Employment Equality Act 1998. Any amendment to the Employment Equality Act 1998 is a matter for the Minister for Justice.
436. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received correspondence written on behalf of a person (details supplied); the reason requested supports for the person to whom this correspondence refers were refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25455/16]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has received correspondence from the Solicitors referred to in this question, in relation to the child also referred to in this question, and can advise that a response issued from my Department to this correspondence on 12th September, 2016.
The National Council for Special Education, which is an independent statutory agency, is responsible, through its network of locally based Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for the allocation of Special Educational Needs supports, including Special Needs Astsistant (SNA) to schools for students with special educational needs arising from a disability.
Responsibility for deciding on the quantum of special educational needs supports and resources to be allocated to schools to support individual pupils with special educational needs, rests with the NCSE.
The NCSE allocates SNA support to schools in accordance with the criteria set out in my Department's Circular 0030/2014. In making allocations to schools, the NCSE will take into account the assessed individual needs of all children with identified needs in the school.
The NCSE has advised that an allocation of SNA support has been made to the school concerned for the 2016/17 school year and that this allocation includes provision for access to SNA support to be provided for the child referred to in this question. Support has therefore not been refused for this child.
It should also be noted that SNA allocations are not made to individual children, but are made to schools to support the care needs of children with assessed special educational needs in the school.
Once an allocation of support has been made to a school, it is a matter for the school authorities to manage and utilise this support to provide for the care needs of qualifying children in the school.
437. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when his Department will commence the urgently required work on the rebuilding of a school (details supplied), which is now more urgent in the context of the recent census data showing the continuing huge population growth in Dublin 15 and Dublin west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25475/16]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been granted.
However, on January 1st 2016 there were 66 major projects under construction. Since the start of this year a total of 50 more major projects have been progressed to construction or are currently authorised to complete the tender process with a view to starting on site before the end of this year. That represents a total of 116 major projects either under construction or progressing to construction in 2016. These projects were authorised to proceed under previous Minister O'Sullivan, and this means that the existing contractual commitments for 2016 now fully account for the funding which was allocated for 2016 by the previous Minister and carry a significant contractual commitment into 2017.
This project is on the 2016-21 Construction Programme and my Department is fully committed to progressing the project to construction.
My Department officials will continue to closely monitor expenditure on existing contractual commitments over the coming months and, as funding allows, other projects, including the project for the school in question, will be considered for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible.
438. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills when his Department will commence the rebuilding of schools (details supplied) in view of the census figures on population growth in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25476/16]
View answerThe major school building project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b). All statutory approvals have been secured.
However, following the appointment of a replacement Mechanical & Electrical Engineer the Design Team, in association with the newly appointed Engineer, is working on a revised M&E report which will be submitted to the Department when it is completed. My Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project following consideration of that report. It is not possible at this time to give a more indicative timeline for when construction is expected to commence.
439. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total amount of spend on schools building projects, schools extensions and additional accommodation provision, with detail of increases and decreases, on an annual basis, for each of the years 2013 to date in 2016 in tabular form; the total spend by his Department in the same format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25481/16]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is provided in the table. The data in respect of the Large Scale projects includes new school buildings, large scale extensions and major refurbishment works. The Additional Accommodation data includes expenditure incurred on prefab replacement.
EXPENDITURE 2013, 2014, 2015 AND TO END AUGUST 2016
|
PROGRAMMES |
2013 (€m) |
2014 (€m) |
2015 (€m) |
To end August 2016 (€m) |
|
Large Scale Projects |
213 |
241 |
303 |
198 |
|
Additional Accommodation Scheme |
88 |
64 |
87 |
39 |
|
Total Expenditure by Department |
8,424 |
8,499 |
8,727 |
5,531 |
440. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a report on how his Department has determined that Quin Village, County Clare is closer to Ennis than to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25487/16]
View answerThe purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. In general, children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criterion and are attending their nearest school. Distance eligibility is determined by Bus Éireann by measuring the shortest traversable route from the child's home to the relevant school; this may be either a pedestrian or vehicular route. Bus Éireann has confirmed that Ennis Post Primary Centre is the nearest education centre to the children who have applied for school transport from Quin Village. The terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
441. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a progress report on the new primary school in Julianstown, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25502/16]
View answerThe major building project for the school in question is at an advanced stage of architectural planning, Stage 2(b) - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Certificate and Disability Access Certificate and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been secured and the Design Team has been authorised to complete Stage 2(b).
When complete, the Design Team will submit the Stage 2(b) report to my Department. Following consideration of this report my officials will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project at that time.
442. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding school bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25506/16]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. In general seat capacity and routes are planned on the basis of the children who are eligible for school transport only.
Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme has advised that the children referred to by the Deputy are not attending their nearest post primary school and are therefore not eligible for school transport.
In general children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of terms and conditions that are detailed in the scheme. Seats for concessionary applicants are allocated after all eligible children have been accommodated on school transport services. This exercise normally takes place after the closing date for receipt of payments. Existing concessionary children and their siblings are given priority in the distribution of spare seats. Where seats are limited a random selection process is used.
While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport at post primary level is to the nearest education centre/school.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the further issue referred to has been resolved.
443. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding school transport in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25508/16]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country, covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.
At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years. My Department, at that stage, may allocate resources towards an education component of such provision.
It is important to note that students who transfer to adult service settings can continue to participate in educational programmes through further adult educational programmes or in adult settings which are allocated resources towards educational provision.
Special Schools may make an application to my Department to retain pupils over the age of 18 who are pursuing courses leading to accreditation at level 3 or above of the National Qualifications Framework (Junior Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied/FETAC 3); for one additional year, in order to complete these courses.
I understand that the pupil in question was retained for an additional year in school in 2015/16 on this basis, and does not meet the criteria for retention for a further year in school. In these circumstances the child cannot be considered eligible for school transport.
444. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will support an application for the summer works scheme 2016-2017 in respect of a school (details supplied). [25511/16]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is in receipt of a Category 5 application for toilet improvement works under the Summer Works Scheme (SWS)(2016-2017) from the school to which he refers.
Valid SWS (2016-2017) applications from schools in respect of Categories 3 to 10 that were not reached under round one approvals announced on 28th April last, will, subject to the overall availability of funding, qualify to be assessed under future rounds of the Scheme. If this arises, the terms and conditions of the scheme as outlined in Circular Letter (0055/2015), which may be accessed on my Department's website, will continue to apply when allocating funding to such projects. The application from the school in question is available to be considered in this context.
445. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when eTenders will issue to schools (details supplied) in County Wexford for the schools broadband scheme; the criteria for the approved list of broadband suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25532/16]
View answerThrough the Schools Broadband Access Programme, the Department provides for the supply of internet connectivity for all recognised primary, post-primary and special schools. The overall policy of my Department is to offer the best quality connectivity to all schools in line with technical solutions available in the market and within required financial parameters.
A framework involving 14 providers was put in place in 2012 which has ensured improved solutions are available to primary schools. The most recent draw down off the framework last September saw approximately 90% of school connections retendered, with over 1,100 schools awarded connections of 30Mbit/s or greater.
Under the current programme the Department continually reviews the availability of services and upgrades schools where the opportunity arises, within the parameters of the programme and in compliance with procurement and contractual obligations.
Following recent mini competitions, the schools referred to by the Deputy have all been awarded improved services, and those services are in place. However, the need to improve broadband connectivity to primary schools is recognised in the new Digital Strategy for Schools and the Department will collaborate with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Energy to address this as a priority action. Work on the implementation of the Strategy is now underway.
446. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a new school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25536/16]
View answerI can confirm that the school to which the Deputy refers has applied to my Department for large scale capital funding to provide a new school building.
My Department recently met with the school to discuss the application. The school was advised that, due to the need to prioritise available funding towards the provision of essential classroom accommodation to meet demographic demand, it would not be possible to progress a major project for the school at this time. The school was also advised that should enrolment numbers justify the appointment of an additional teacher and if it was not possible to accommodate this teacher within the school, that the school could submit an application to my Department for an additional classroom at that point.
447. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current stage of construction of a school (details supplied); if he will advance the building work at this school given the length of time the school has been in prefabricated buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25538/16]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been granted.
However, on January 1st 2016 there were 66 major projects under construction. Since the start of this year a total of 50 more major projects have been progressed to construction or are currently authorised to complete the tender process with a view to starting on site before the end of this year. That represents a total of 116 major projects either under construction or progressing to construction in 2016. These projects were authorised to proceed under previous Minister O'Sullivan, and this means that the existing contractual commitments for 2016 now fully account for the funding which was allocated for 2016 by the previous Minister and carry a significant contractual commitment into 2017.
This project is on the 2016-21 Construction Programme and my Department is fully committed to progressing the project to construction.
My Department officials will continue to closely monitor expenditure on existing contractual commitments over the coming months and, as funding allows, other projects, including the project for the school in question, will be considered for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible.
448. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current stage of construction of a school (details supplied); the estimated date on which construction work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25539/16]
View answerThe major building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2b - Detailed Design, which includes the applications for Planning Permission, Fire Cert and Disability Access Cert and the preparation of Tender Documents. All statutory approvals have been granted.
The Design Team are in the process of completing the Stage 2(b) report for submission to my Department and following review of that report my officials will then revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project.
It is not possible at this time to give a more indicative timeline for when construction will commence.
449. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current stage of construction of schools (details supplied); the estimated date on which construction work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25540/16]
View answerThe major school building project to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of architectural planning - Stage 2(b). All statutory approvals have been secured.
However, following the appointment of a replacement Mechanical & Electrical Engineer the Design Team, in association with the newly appointed Engineer, is working on a revised M&E report which will be submitted to the Department when it is completed. My Department will revert to the school with regard to the further progression of the project following consideration of that report. It is not possible at this time to give a more indicative timeline for when construction is expected to commence.
450. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current stage of construction of a school (details supplied); the estimated date on which construction work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25541/16]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers commenced construction in November 2015 under an 18 month contract. The project is being delivered in two distinct phases and is currently progressing on schedule. Phase 1 was delivered on 31st August 2016 and was ready for occupation in time for the new school year. Subject to no issues arising, substantial completion for Phase 2 is expected in May 2017.
451. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current stage of construction of a school (details supplied); the estimated date on which construction work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25542/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a project for the school concerned as well as for the two other schools which share the school site, is included on the 6 Year Programme announced last November. It is envisaged that the project will be delivered as a single building project.
In order to progress the project, the contact school was requested to furnish a site map to my Department but was unable to do so. My Department has recently managed to secure a site map and will be in further contact with the schools in the context of progressing the project into the architectural planning process.
452. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current stage of construction of a school (details supplied); the estimated date on which construction work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25543/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which she refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme.
The delivery of the project necessitates the acquisition of a site. A suitable site has been identified and negotiations with the vendor are currently at an advanced stage. When the site acquisition has been finalised, the architectural planning process to deliver the building project will be initiated.
453. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current stage of construction of a school (details supplied); the estimated date on which construction work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25544/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a building project for the school to which she refers is included in my Department's 6 Year Capital Programme.
The delivery of the project necessitates the acquisition of a suitable site. A potential site has been identified and its acquisition is currently being advanced by my Department.
When a site has been acquired, the architectural planning process to deliver the building project will be initiated.
454. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current stage of construction of a school (details supplied); the estimated date on which construction work will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25545/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that a building project for the school to which she refers was included in the Department's 6 Year Capital Programme announced last November. My Department is currently finalising the project brief and once this process is complete, my Department will be in further contact with the school. The project will be progressed into the architectural planning process when the brief has been finalised.
455. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of the 116 schools with major projects under construction or progressing to construction that will have building work commenced in 2016; the number of these projects that will carry a substantial contractual commitment into 2017; the number of projects expected to progress to construction in 2017 and in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25546/16]
View answerOf the 66 projects on site at the start of this year, 24 have now completed construction. The remaining 42 projects remain under construction and will carry a substantial contractual commitment into 2017.
Since the start of this year a total of 50 more major projects have been progressed to construction or are currently authorised to complete the tender process with a view to starting on site before the end of this year. All of these projects will incur the bulk of their expenditure as a contractual commitment under the 2017 capital allocation.
My Department officials will continue to closely monitor expenditure on existing contractual commitments over the coming months and, as funding allows, other projects will be considered for progression through the tender process with a view to starting on site as soon as possible in 2017 and 2018. The contractual commitments for 2017 and 2018 will determine the number of major projects which can be progressed to construction in each of those years.
456. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps being taken by his Department and the National Council for Special Education to ensure that a child (details supplied) has an appropriate school place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25554/16]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that this Government is committed to ensuring that all children with Special Educational Needs, including those with autism, can have access to an education appropriate to their needs, preferably in a placement in a school setting through the primary and post primary school network.
Such placements facilitate access to individualised education programmes which may draw from a range of appropriate educational interventions, delivered by fully qualified professional teachers, with the support of Special Needs Assistants and the appropriate school curriculum.
In respect of children with ASD who cannot be accommodated in mainstream education, they may be enrolled in special classes or special schools where more intensive and supportive interventions are provided.
In the event that no such placement is available, home tuition can be provided until such a placement becomes available.
An application for Home Tuition for the child referred to by the Deputy has recently been received in Special Education Section of my Department. Special Education Section are currently communicating with the Parents in order to advance the application.
457. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of children who applied for a school bus from Quin, County Clare to Tulla, County Clare, including any children who were refused the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25573/16]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. In general, children are eligible for school transport if they are attending their nearest school and satisfy the requisite distance criteria. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only.
Seats for concessionary applicants are allocated after all eligible children have been accommodated on school transport services. This exercise normally takes place after the closing date for receipt of payments. Where seats are limited a random selection process is used.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that there were 23 applications received for transport to Tulla Post Primary Centre from Quin village. Of the 23 children 12 eligible and one concessionary child were issued with tickets on existing services while there were 10 concessionary applicants who were unsuccessful in the random selection of concessionary tickets.
The terms of the School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
458. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of funding for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25630/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department has approved significant capital funding to the school in question to provide additional accommodation. I am pleased to confirm that following engagement with the school, the accommodation being provided includes general classrooms, a special needs unit and a Science Lab to address the school's immediate accommodation needs. Written confirmation to this effect issued to the school recently. My Department is satisfied that this accommodation, when constructed, will significantly improve the school's facilities.
My Department has explained to the school that due to the very significant challenge facing my Department in prioritising the available capital funding to meet the demand for extra school places, it is not possible, at this point, to consider the school's application for a PE Hall and additional specialist accommodation.
459. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for a reader in school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25631/16]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations. The Commission operates a scheme of Reasonable Accommodations in the Certificate Examinations. Full details of the scheme are available on their website at www.examinations.ie/candidates/reasonableaccommodations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
